riverview: test drive meme

[riverviewmod]

riverview test drive meme

Welcome to Riverview's first test drive meme! Feel free to dip your toes in on the test drive meme to try out your character in the setting, play out a mission, and get samples for your application at the same time!

● Reserves are currently OPEN.
● Applications open on March 1st.
● All threads on the test drive meme can count as game canon once the game is up and running.
● TDM threads do not count for Activity Check, but they do count for Activity Bonus Points.

Feel free to use the prompts below or create your own scenario. The setting is built to be flexible, so feel free to make things up as you go.

information resources
premise ● arrival ● setting ● ask a question ● navigation

prompt i: batten down the hatches

If the sky has seemed a little more yellow-green than usual for the past couple of days, there's a reason for that. Meteorologists have been warning of a particularly nasty storm blowing in from the direction of the Delta in the Southwestern part of the Abandoned City.

The Quarantine is about to be hit by a nasty typhoon, and there's a lot to be done. Whether you're helping sandbag the banks of the river, which is bound to be swollen by the storm and flooding, weatherproofing your building, or just huddling indoors for warmth and helping reassure your friends, family, or partner that everything will be okay, it's time to take action!

prompt ii: monster madness

There's been a lot of talk around the Quarantine about the various predators and monsters outside the fence, and how they've been getting steadily more active, crowding the fences, trying to leap over them, seemingly driven by some kind of mania. There have even been increasing instances of predators that normally mind their own business attacking the fences wholesale, slamming into it over and over as if they're trying to find a weakness.

The good news? The fences have been holding. So far.

The bad news? They won't be holding for much longer.

The Perimeter Guard is in a bad way, and it's all hands on deck. They've also sent out a few of the Perimeter Guard Cadets to post up flyers around the city asking for temporary help in fighting off the beasts. So pick up whatever weapon you're best with, hop onto a truck transport, and head on over to the fences to help drive off the monsters and keep the Quarantine safe.

prompt iii: hold your lover close

With a storm rolling in that's going to keep everyone indoors, that might cause power outages, and is just frankly pretty scary, a lot of the clubs, restaurants, and hotels are doing special events to keep everyone's brains occupied and flooded with endorphins.

There are flyers around the city advertising various couples activities: speed dating, dance classes, overnight pool parties, and all-expenses-paid lovers' nights in.

The catch? The great deals only count if you're a twosome. So if you don't have someone to love, hit up speed dating in the indoor courtyard of Riverview's largest mall, or grab the first person you see and take the opportunity.

prompt iv: solution

After a day or two of storm activity, things are definitely not getting better: the rain is torrential, the monsters are attacking with increased energy and decreased rest times, and the distractions are starting to wear thin. Power outages happen off and on, a very rare situation in Riverview Quarantine.

The government has put out an all-points-bulletin imploring anyone with an exploratory spirit to help.

From what government science techs can tell, the storm isn't natural - after all, even the meteorologists were saying that the pressure systems seemed extremely strange. They've managed to narrow the cause to an area in the delta where the storm seems to be originating from, and are broadcasting the general location so anyone with the guts can head out into the storm and try to find the source of it.

Any characters who decide to penetrate the jungle in search of the source will find a device in the shape of a pyramid, with glowing blue edges about a day's walk into the Abandoned City. The pyramid is a malfunctioning weather control device that is causing wild pressure fluctuations and causing the storm as well as making the animals in the jungle aggressive and erratic. Characters can destroy or deactivate the device to end the storm.

This mission can be threaded out however you would like, in groups however large you would like, and more than one team can accomplish the goal.

prompt v: wildcard/network

Whether you're looking for help with a mission or just want to get to know your fellow new arrivals, your character can make a post to the network.

Or you can choose your own adventure and do something else in the setting!

navigation

Comments

iii. because I'M FEELING HORRIBLE ATM

[amelioraate]

[ First off, Tony is kind of impressed that the man manages to get an arm around Steve's shoulders without dislocating his damn arm, or getting punched in the face. Actually, maybe he is just impressed that the man doesn't manage to get punched in the face full stop, but really the guy kind of deserves it at this point. Tony has been watching (and kind of laughing) as the blond is harassed by a man who really needs to learn how to pick better targets for his selling habits. Because Steve? Not the kind you try this shit on.

Tony, however... Well, maybe he feels a little bad for the guy (which guy though is up for debate).

Stepping up and angling himself between Steve and the man, Tony puts on his brightest boardroom smile, all teeth and flashbulb glare, fingers wrapping around the hand with the pamphlets to pull it away from Steve, eyes scanning the colourful (and ridiculous) advertisements before giving the man a look.]

Couples retreat with lessons? Why, are you saying this fine man would need lessons on how to woo? Or anything else for that matter, I mean, come on now, have you been looking at him at all?

[ Oh don't mind Tony, casually putting himself between you two here, back to Steve, of course.]

[livingsymbol]

[Steve is bristling at the way the man seems to need to be up in his face, but with Quarantine in such bad shape, he can't help but feel bad for the guy. He's trying to help the town in his way... presumably. Although the heavy marketing angle really isn't winning Steve over. He pulls back, almost ready to physically move the man away from him (but not punch him), when Tony moves in and somehow manages to finesse his way between them. Steve watches as Tony starts his familiar, smooth-talking display that always impresses him. The promoter, however, seems less impressed.

Come on, buddy. I'm looking right now! If anyone needs help, it's the quiet guy standing off on his own at the party, right? I'll give you both a good discount. How's that?

Steve frowns, putting a hand on Tony's shoulder.]

Let's go.

[amelioraate]

[ You say not punch him, but is it the truth there, Steve? Is it? Either way, Tony can tell when someone is pushing because they think they have something to sell and when someone is pushing because there is a tremor of something else beneath it all. And, in this city? Tony isn't all that surprised that he senses more of the latter in this instance.

The grin on Tony's face doesn't falter, even as the promoter clearly takes what he is saying as some sort of challenge; if anything, it sharpens. However, whatever Tony might have poised on the tip of his tongue (something razor sharp and scathing, the dredges of protectiveness rising up in him and turning pointed when then man implies Steve as being someone who needs help, even if it's true) fall away at the weight of the hand on his shoulder.

Turning around, eyebrow raised, Tony regards Steve for a moment, eyes dark and unreadable before he deflates just a little.]

If you insist, darling. I suppose we can go show this poor blind fool just how amazing we are, mmmm?

[ Hollow. There is an echo in his words, in his eyes, but Tony puts on a good show. ]

[livingsymbol]

[He doesn't like punching people that aren't fighting back. He would throw the man off, provided he wasn't really hurting him, but Steve is trying to keep from making a scene in the new place. After all, he doesn't have any authority, and this jerk isn't a criminal. (And he's right, isn't he? Steve is a good target because he never could figure things out.)

His hand slips from Tony's shoulder at the lie. It still hurts, that they can't get along, and it has nothing to do with fake dating. Steve ruins the act by walking away, but at least he does withdraw from the salesman, who seems upset that he's losing his mark. He chases after them, still trying to pitch them some of his special deals--and this time, trying to rope them both in as a couple. Steve winces.]

Amazing, huh? [He says under his breath.]

[amelioraate]

[ Pretty sure the guy would fight back if you swung at him, but Tony can talk his way out of a non-fight than a street brawl so, yeah, probably better that this didn't get confrontational. There is way too much energy in this place, and any sign of that kind of chaos or energy might just lead things in a terrible direction.

Whatever Tony might have thought about putting a spin on goes up in flames when Steve drops his hand and turns on his heels to walk away. That-- well, even Tony would have a hard time selling that as something. Not that he wasn't going to try.

However, when he turns to look at the salesman this time, there is nothing of the smooth salesman from before, it's barely contained fury and the promise of things burning to cinders if he doesn't fuck right off.]

Look, you've now pissed off my dear heart here and it's gonna take me time to make sure he doesn't break your jaw, so do yourself a favour and fuck off, thank you.

[ There is another flashbulb grin before Tony spins on his heels and moves to catch up with Steve. ]

Mmm, you're right, that's Spider-Man's adjective. Would you prefer volatile?

[livingsymbol]

[The man at least freezes when Tony turns on him with a dangerous glare. Clearly if Steve had tried, he might have cowed the promoter into leaving him alone, but he hadn't shown his teeth. Tony's threatening look does the trick, and the man backs off with both hands raised. He does mutter some unfriendly things as he goes, though.

Meanwhile, Steve is moving at a slow enough pace that Tony easily catches up.]

Are you going to keep telling everyone that tries to sell me honeymoon suites that we're dating? Because I think they're gonna catch on to that.

[amelioraate]

[ Probably could have, Tony really isn't sure that it is his look that does the trick so much as it is the threat of Steve punching the guy. I mean, Steve might not look like he knows what he is doing at a party, but he certainly looks like he knows his way around a boxing ring. You sure you didn't want Tony to come save you or something?

Quirking a brow, Tony shoves his hands into the pockets of his pockets and doesn't look at Steve.]

What, that we're totally past our honeymoon stage and well into the rocky angry years of our relationship? Because I think we might be almost through that, I mean, just put the lid down would you? Then it would all be better!

[livingsymbol]

[Steve slows as Tony catches up. He glances over at his response, rolling from showy charm to showy sarcasm. He wants to respond. He wants to tell Tony that they wouldn't be on bad terms if the man hadn't started turning on his friends and arresting his own people just for being who they were. And, frankly, it has nothing to do with their "relationship" at all. It's about principles.

He doesn't say anything about that. Steve watches Tony walk alongside him for a few moments, taking in the sight of him.]

Thank you. You came just in time.

[amelioraate]

[ That-- that actually takes Tony a little bit by surprise, the thanks. It shouldn't, but for some reason it does. The engineer falters in his steps as he stares at Steve in silence for a moment. He knows that there is tension here, that they are from different times and there are things that need to be talked about, but--

Tony really doesn't want to deal with more shit along with this place and everything else. Not again at least. So he doesn't bring up the tension, the steady thrum of something else between them, and just gives Steve a smile. This one isn't all teeth, isn't poised to deflect or intimidate, it's as close to an honest smile as you get from him as of late.]

Dunno about that, but the lie is appreciated. Not sure it would look great if we started riots over terrible salesmen already.

[livingsymbol]

[Tony deflects Steve's attempt at making peace, and the way he words it makes Steve's eyes narrow slightly in displeasure. The basic assumption in his response hurts and he can't help but speak up.]

Why would I lie about that?

[Who does Tony think he's talking to? Steve's thanks is genuine.]

Just because I don't think you can convince people here that we're dating doesn't mean I don't appreciate your help.

[After all, Tony is better at talking his way out of things. Steve's standard method is a lot less subtle.]